Venetian blind slat



B. WALKER 2,311,716

VENETIAN BLIND SLAT FeB. 23, 1943.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 10. 1941 23 IN VEN TOR.

Feb. 23, 1943. Q W L 2,311,715

VENETIAN BLIND sLAT Filed Feb. 10, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOK/ Patented Feb. 23, 1943 UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE VENETIAN BLIND SLAT Brooks Walker, Piedmont, Calif.

Application February 10, 1941, Serial No. 378,153

14 Claims.

This invention pertains to improvements in Venetian blind slats, particularly relative to means for securing Venetian blind slats to the cross rungs of their supporting ladder tapes, particularly where the lifting cords for collapsing the Venetian blinds do not go through the slats to hold them in position relative to the ladder tapes, against lateral displacement of the slat where the lifting cords operate in a manner similar to that described in my United States Patent Number 2,200,349.

This invention pertains to means for securing slats to ladde'r tape rungs by means of readily attached, inexpensive clips secured to the slat through holes or slots in the slat, or by means of forming one or more tongues from the slat itself 50 that the tongue secures and holds the slat to the ladder tape rung. When the lifting cords do not go through the slats or go through grooves or slots in the edge of the slat, it is possible for the wind or dusting to displace the slats from the grooves and then to displace them laterally from the blind. It is to avoid this difficulty that the improvements, as pointed out in this application, are designed to eliminate. By these tongues, as disclosed, it is possible to easily attach and detach the slat to the ladder tape rung for cleaning or repairing the slats.

By the method disclosed in this application, a metal slat of curved cross section can be deflected at the point where the tongue is formed so that the slat will be bent and the tongue will remain straight, leaving an opening for the insertion of the ladder rung. When the slat is released and assumes a straight position, the tongue will lock the ladder rung into place, preventing the slat from being dislodged. It is only necessary that the slat be secured to the ladder rungs at one place, though attachments may be used if desired. The tongues, as designed, can be readily stamped and formed at the same time the slats are run off of the continuous reel on the machine that clips them to length in the same manner that route holes are produced at present. The advantage of ony one point of attachment is that the distance from the end of the slat to the location of the tongues is substantially standard and can be set up with a minimum of adjustment and if extra long slats are run in production, they can readily be cut back to the next length with Very little loss. Likewise, if an owner moves from one house to another where the windows are of different size, the slats can readily be cut down to the next smaller size and the tapes moved to conform without the route holes being exposed which ,would be the case with conventional construction.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view partly cut away of a wooden or composition slat, its supporting ladder tape and attaching clip.

Figure 2 is a cross section of a portion of the slat shown in Figure 1 taken at the location of the clip.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan viewpartly cut away of the slat tapes and clips shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the clip alone which is used in Figure 1.

Figure 5 is'a side view partly in section and partly cut away of another form of the invention, showing a clip applied to the slat.

Figure 6 is a bottom plan view partly cut away of asslat near a tape with a clip, as shown in Figure Figure 7 is a perspective view of the clip as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a slat with a difierent type of clip attached to the slat in a slot.

Figure 9 is a perspective view partly cut away, showing a further form of clip attached to a slat in a different manner.

Figure 10 is a perspective view partly cut away of a difierent type of slat attached to a ladder tape rung by a series of tongues.

Figure 11 is a perspective view partly cut away, showing a method of deflecting a slat to engage or disengage. same with a supporting ladder rung.

Figure 12 is a perspective view, showing an alternate form of tongue.

Figure 13 is a perspective view, showing another form of the tongue.

Figure 14 is a perspective view showing a further form of the tongue.

Figure 15 is a perspective view, showing a furtherform of the invention, incorporating'metal tongues adjoining. 1

Figure 16 is a perspective view, showing a further form of multiple adjacent tongues.

Figure 17 is a perspective view, showing a further form of the tongue with a different contour than the slat.

Figure 18 is a perspective view of an alternate construction of. the tongue, having a wider end section.

Figure 19 is a perspective view of a further form of tongue, embodying a different clearance at the side of the tongue.

rung will be forced against the base of the tongue also be possible to do this with a woven type split ladder rung. If a force is applied on the end of a slat inone divection, part of the ladder and will hold the slat securely against dislodgeouter end which is curved slightly away from the slat to allow the ladder rung II to be forced under the tongue upon application of sufficient pressure to spring the tongue 23, which may also be sprung by inserting the finger or tool through the hole i-a to press the tongue 23 down for the free entrance of the ladder rung II, with the ladder rung il in place, it will extend under the slat, supporting same, into the hole i-a above tongue 23 and across under the other edge of the slat. This will leave the slat free to slide sideways relative to the ladder rung H which is advisable in order to get a tight closure when the ladder tapes in are moved in to cause the slats to tilt into their two closedpositions.

Figures 5, 6, and 7 show another form of clip where round holes |b are drilled in the slat and clip is inserted through one of said holes i-b until end 32 extends under the partition between said holes and then slides back into place until ears 3i locate the clip in the proper position relative to the slat with ears 3i and 33 resting on the bridge between holes l-b. The ladder rungs are inserted under tongue 32 or 33, depending on the location of the ladder rung relative to the ladder tape (as the ladder rungs are'on alternate sides of the ladder tape in conventional construction) and these clips are made universal so as to be suitable for attachment to either right or left located ladder rungs and still line up the edges of the slats.

Figure 8 shows another form of clip 40 which is inserted in a groove I-c which is preferably sawn across a series of slats sufllcient to make a blind in a position corresponding to the center of one of the end ladder tapes. The clip 40, you will note, is reversible in that it can be put in the slot i-c with end 43 located either at the right or at the left so as to receive the correct supporting ladder rung. End 63 is so constructed as to form a pocket by itself, or with the slat. an enclosure open at both ends through which the ladder rung ll may slide when the slat is tipped. This end 63 may be so formed that it forms a complete closure in itself for the ladder rung and may be permanently attached thereto, and the slat removed by sliding the clip QB out of the groove i-c in the slat and then sliding the slat out lengthwise. I

In Figure 9 I have. shown a clip so constructed as to form a closure about the ladder rung ii and to be secured to the slat by means of ears extending through holes i-d in the slat near the center of the ladder tapes or at one side between the ladder rungs. The ears extend through holes l-d and are so formed as to retain the clip in position by their spring action.

In Figure 10 I have shown a construction including a slat of curved cross section which can readily be sprung away from a straight line in which a series of tongues 52and 53 form one pair and 54 and 55 form another pair. The ladder rung ii in this instance is formed of cords ladder tongue, such as 88 and 89, may not be ment. If forced in the other direction,'the other side of' the ladder rung will be forced against the base of the other tongue, also preventing dislodgement. By spreading the ladder rung, a more rigid alignment of the slat is securedthan where the ladder rung is not split. The combination of tongues shown herein is desirable to make the slat universal in fitting the alternate spacing of the ladder rungs.

The ladder rungs are inserted under the tongues by deflecting the end of the slat, as shown in Figure 11, where the slat will bend and the tongues willstay straight, leaving a space between, under which the ladder rung can be freely entered. When the slat is released to its straight position, the tongue locks the ladder rung in place. It can be freed by again bending the end of the slat and moving the slat sideways. A further lock can be provided by snapping the end of the tongue past the body of the slat when the slat is straight.

Figure 12 shows another form of tongues in which tongues 60 and El extend beyond the end of the openings at each side thereof to form a' more positive lock for the ladder rungs than is the case with the tongue to end, as shown in Figure 13.

Figure 13 shows a very simplified form of double tongue I! and 12 which while not quite as positive in its lock as others, yet made wide enough to assume some of thecontour of the slat, it has been found stiff enough to answer normal requirements and is made from a somewhat more inexpensive die than other constructions shown herein.

Figure 14 shows an alternate construction of the tongues BI and 82 where they faceeach other and extend beyond the end of the adjacent openings. The adjacent openings are desirable where it is advisable to let the slat move laterally relatlve to the ladder rungs and also where it is desirable that the action of the tongues will not act as a scissors to cut or chafe the ladderrungs.

Figure 15 shows a combination of tongues Si, 92, 93, and 94 which face each other so that with a ladder rung under either pair, a displacing force in either direction will force the ladder rung against the base Oi the tongue to give a substantially positive loci: against displacement.

Figure 16 shows a combination of tongues 85 and I6, pointing in opposite directions to secure a positive lock against displacement of the slat when forced in either direction without the necessity of splitting the ladder rung.

In Figure 17 it has been found that a narrower sufilciently stiff if only of the same contour as the slat, but if the contour of the tongue has a ridge formed therein to stiffen it, it forms a good lock, and also puts the sharp edges of the tongue away from the ladder rung so as to reduce the chafing eifect.

Figure 18 shows another construction of the tongues Stand 92 with a T shaped end section togive a positive lock to the tongue against an accidental displacement force applied on the slat. However, by manually bending the end of 'tongue having spaces at each the slat, the end of the tongue and the slat will separate so that the ladder rung can be freed and removed of the slat.

Figure 19 shows a. simplified tongue construction in which the tongue is ofiset from the cross section of the slat to form a passage for the ladder rung H between the tongue and the edge of the slat while still securing the ladder rung in position by the close proximity of the end of the tongues 95 or 96 to the end of their slots.

I do not wish in any way to limit myself to the exact details or mode of operation set forth in rung of said ladder tape, said slat having a tongue formed therein with an opening through said slat cut at, either side of, said tongue, said tongue being separated from the edge of said slat by a continuous portion of said slat, said tongue detachably securing said slat to said ladder rung.

7. In combination a Venetian blind slat and a ladder tape for supporting said slat on a cross rung of said ladder tape, said slat having 81 Pluralityof tongues formed therein, said tongues being remote from the edge of said slat, a pluthis specification and drawings, for it will be obvious that wide departure may be made in the way of details without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention which is set forth in the following claims. I claim as my invention:

1. In combination aVenetian blind slat, a ladder tape having a flexible cross rung for supporting said slat, and means for securing said slat to said cross rung comprising a flexible element formed from said slat, the edge of said slat being continuous and uncut adjacent said ladder tape.

2. In combination a Venetian blind slat. a tongue formed from said slat between the edges of said slat, a ladder tape having a flexible cross rung for supporting said slat, said slat being secured to said cross rung by said tongue, said low said cross rung to move lengthwise at right angles to the length'oi said slat.

3. In combination a Venetian blind slat, a ladder tape for supporting said slat on a cross rung of said ladder tape, said slat having a hole formed therein, said hole being between the edges or said slat and not touching said edges, and a flexible tongue adjacent said hole but not covering said hole.

4., In combination a'Venetian blind slat, a ladder tape for supporting said slat on a cross mg of said ladder tape, said slat having a tongue formed therein with one end free and one end anchored to said slat, said tongue being separated from the edge 0! said slat, and saidtongue securing said slat to said supporting rung.

5. In combination a Venetian blind slat and a ladder tape for supporting said slat on a cross rung of said ladder tape, said slat having a tongue formed therein with an opening through said slat cut at either side of said tongue, the edges of said slat being continuous adjacent the sides of said ladder tape, said tongue securing said slat to said ladder rung.

6. In combination a Venetian blind slatand a ladder tape for supporting said slat ona cross side thereof to alsaid rungs.

rality of said tongues securing said slat to said cross rung.

8. In combination a Venetian blind slat, a ladder tape for supporting said slat on a cross rung of said ladder tape, said slat having a plurality of tongues formed therein, said cross rung being split and one part secured to the slat by one tongue and the other part by the other tongue.

. 9. A Venetian blind'slat formed of metal and having a tongue for attaching the cross rung of a ladder tape, said tongue formed in said metal surrounded by solid metal.

10, A-flexible metal Venetian blind slat, a pair of openings formed in said slat and a tongue separating said openings, the free end of said tongue being normally in contact with said slat when said slat is straight but when said slat is bent crosswise said tongue moving away from said slatto iorm an opening.

11. A metal Venetian blind slat having a a curved cross section and a tongue formed from said slat and surrounded by said slat, a supporting ladder tape with a cross rung, said tongue having a different curvature than said slat surrounding the location of said tongue and said tongu'e located and adapted to engage said cross rung.

12. A metal Venetian blind slat, a. plurality of tongues formed in said slat and surrounded by said slat, stantially opposite to each other, and a supporting cross piece for said slat, said tongue adapted to engage said cross piece.

l3. A metal Venetian blind slat having a pair of tongues formed therein with their ends touching and a support for said slat engaged by said tongues.

14. A metal Venetian blind slat, a pair of tongues formed therein and so located that their ends touch each other, an opening formed in said slat at each side of said tongues, solid metal surrounding said openings and tongues, and a lad- BROOKS WALKER.

two of said tongues being faced sub- Patent No. 2,311,716 Granted February 23, 1943 BROOKS WALKER The above entitled patent was extended July 24, 1951, under the provisions of the act of June 30, 1950, for 6 years and 214 days from the expiration of the original term thereof.

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